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An aerial lift checklist for boom lifts, scissor lifts and bucket trucks.

Check the machine, the controls and the ground it's standing on before anyone goes up. Print the sheet or save it as a PDF.

Also calledBoom lift inspection checklist, Scissor lift pre-use inspection, Bucket truck inspection

How to use it

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

  1. Step 1

    Check before each use

    Do the machine check at the start of the shift, and check the work area every time the machine moves to a new spot.

  2. Step 2

    Test the emergency controls

    Run the emergency stop and the emergency lowering before the first lift. Don't assume they work.

  3. Step 3

    Tag out a failure

    If a safety item fails, don't lift. Tag the machine and report it.

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Run this check on a phone, with a photo on any failed step, no signal needed. A failed step opens a repair and the record is kept for you.

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Common questions

What is a pre-use inspection on an aerial lift?
It's a check of the machine, its controls and the work area before each use. It looks for damage, leaks, missing parts and anything that stops the machine from working safely.
Does an aerial lift need an inspection every day?
It should be checked before use. Frequent and annual inspections are separate and follow the maker's manual and the rules that apply to you. This sheet covers the operator's pre-use check.
Can I use this for a bucket truck?
Yes, as a starting point. Add lines for the truck itself, the insulating parts and the outriggers if your trucks have them, and follow your employer's procedures for work near power lines.